Mower



L. H. THOEN May 7, 1935.

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INVEN TOR.

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L. H. THOEN MOWER 8 Sheeis-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. '7, 1933 mm O G lllll Illll IIII 1N VEN TOR.

Lo WEL/ H. THOEN L.. H. THOEN MOWER Filed Jan. 7, 1935 May 7, 1935. l

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MOWER Filed Jan. 7, 19:53 8 sheets-sheet 8 INVENTOR. LOWE/ L H. THoEN m BY AHORA Patented May 7, 1935 2,000,363

vUNITED STATES PATENT A OFFICE MOWEB Lowell H. Thoen, Stockton, Calif., assignor to Caterpillar Tractor Co., San Leandro, Calif., a corporation of California Application January 1, 1933, Serial No. 650,692

38 Claims.l (Cl. 5625) One of the objects of this invention is to pro- Another object of the invention is to provide a vide a mower which can be attached to a power track-type tractor with a mower attachment driven tractor and which can be propelled by and which is swingably mounted on the rear end of the actuated by the tractor. tractor, which has a draft connection from the Another object of the invention is to provide a track roller frame of the tractor to the mower 5 mower attachment for a tractor, particularly which normally prevents this swinging moveadapted for attachment to a tractor of the track ment, which has a drive connection to the power type, take-off of the tractor, and which has automatic Another object of the invention is to provide a means for releasing the draft connection and the mower attachment for a tractor which can be drive connections when the mower strikes ob- 10 readily attached to and detached from a tractor. structions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Another object of the invention is to provide an mower attachment for a tractor, including a improved means for holding a tractor mower atbracket means attachable to the rear end of the tachment in the transporting position.

1:, tractor, which will serve as a support for the 15 mower and its operating mechanism. DESCRIPTION 0F FIGURES Another object of the invention is to provide a Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tractor equipped with mower which can be attached to the rear end of a mower in accordance with the invention.

a track-type tractor and which has a draft con- Fig. 2 is a right side elevation of the rear of l :u nection to the track roller frame of the tractor. the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine. mower which is mounted upon a vertical pivot at Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the the rear of the tractor and which has a link conmechanism shown `in Fig. 3 with parts broken nection to one of the track roller frames of the away and in section.

- tractor. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanism attached 25 Another object of the invention is to provide a to the rear end of the tractor. mower which has a universal connection at the Fig. 6 is a View of one of the details taken from rear end of the tractor with a draft connection to the line 6-6 in Fig. 2. one of the track roller frames of the tractor, and Fig. '7 is a fragmentary section on the line 1-1 :to means on the tractor for raising and lowering the in Fig. 2. mower. Fig. 8 illustrates the position of the mower Another object of the invention is to provide a after it has encountered an obstruction which remower which can be mounted on the tractor for leases the pull rod. swinging movement, and means for normally Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical section through :1.3 preventing such swinging movement but permitthe rear end of the tractor and the mechanism ting such swinging movement when the mower attached thereto, taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 1.

strikes an obstruction. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section on the line Another object of the invention is to provide l0--I0 of Fig. 4. y a mower attachment for a tractor in which the Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section on the line cutter-bar can be lifted by elevating the outer end l l-I I in Fig. 9. 40

before elevating the inner end. Fig. 12 is a section on the line |2-I2 of Fig. 4

Another object of the invention is to adapt a Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section on the line tractor for mowing by attaching a mower there- |3--l3 in Fig. 1.

to and arranging the tractor controls to facili- Fig. 14 is a section on the line I4--I4 in Fig. 13. tate controlling the tractor while mowing. Fig. 15 illustrates the position of the mower 45 Another object of the invention is to provide a when in inoperative position for transportation. mower attachment for a tractor with means for DESCRIPTION 0F MECHANISM liftin the cutter-bar, includin means to counterbaance its weight, g Tractor (Sheets 1 and 2) Another object of lthe invention is to provide a Y In the embodiment of the invention illustrated 50 mower attachment for a tractor with means for in the drawings, the mower is shown attached to transmitting power to said mower when said a track-type tractor which comprises a power4 mower is in an operative position and to autoplant including an engine I0 (Fig. l) and transmatically stop transmission of said power when mission Il, supported on a pair of track mechasaid mower moves into an inoperative position. nisms l2, I2. Each track mechanism has an end- 65 pivoted together. 'I'he track is laid uponV the groundfor the machine to roll upon. A series of rollers mounted on shafts I6 roll upon the ground run of the endless track I4 and transmit the Weight of the tractor thereto. mounted in track roller frame I1 which is pivot'- ally connected to the power plant or main frame endless track |4 to propel the tractor thereover.

, The sprockets I9, one for cach track, are driven arate clutches in a well-known manner.

from the power plant of the tractor through sep- Control lever (Fig. 1) controls the clutch for track `driving sprocket'. I9 on the right side of the tractor.

track, which causes the tractor to turn to the left.

Operation of lever 20 causes the tractor to 'turn' to the right.

To augment the steering operation, each of the track driving sprockets' I9 has associated therewith a brake, not shown. These brakes are controlled by the foot pedals 23, 24, which operate the left and right brakes, respectively. Thus, if the operator wishes to turn the tractor sharply to the left, he pulls lever 2| to disengage the left hand clutch and also applies left hand brake by pressing on brake pedal 23.

Mower (Sheets 1 and 3) 'I'he mower is attached as a unit to the rear end of the tractor (Figs. 1 and 3) and employs a conventional cutter-barv having fingers 3| and a knife 32 reciprocating therein and provided with a head 33. The cutter-bar 30 (Fig. 3) is supported upon the ground by means of an inner shoe 35 and an outer shoe 36. Inner shoe 35 is adjustably mounted on a plate 39 to which cutterbar 3|) is rigidly. attached. Outer shoe 36 has the usual board 31 associated therewith, and inner shoe 35 a guard 38, which members serve to guide the cut grass in a well-known manner.

Mower support (Sheets 3-5) Plate 39 is connected to bracket 48 (Fig. 3) by a pivot 4|. Bracket 40 (Fig. 4) is mounted on the outer end of an arm 42 which has threaded engagement therewith at 43, and bracket has an extension-44 which serves to increase the bearing surface of bracket 40 on arm 42. The inner end of arm 42 is connected by a horizontal pivot 45 with a sleeve `46 keyed to a vertical shaft 41, which shaft is rotatably mounted in bosses 48, 49 of a casting 50, which constitutes a main supporting member;

Casting 59 (Fig. 5) has lateral extensions 5|, 52, which are bolted to brackets 53, 54, respectively, which are attached to the rear face of the housing of transmission I I by means of screws.

Cutter-bar 30 (Fig. 3) is capable of movement about the .pivot 4|, and arm 42 is capable of pivotal movement about the horizontal axis of pivot 45, and also the vertical axis of shaft 41.

Pull rod (Sheets 1, 2 and 6) Arm 42 and cutter-bar 3U are normally prevented from swinging about the vertical axis of shaft 41 by a connection from bracket 40 (Fig.- 1)

The shafts I6 are.

, around the vertical axis of shaft 41.

the hub of sprocket 89.

less track I4 (Fig. 2) consisting of aseries of links lto right hand track roller frame I1 .which con- --`slsts of pull rod 60, having hook 6| engaging eye other end looped around guard 38 to provide an extension of guard 38. Guard extension 63 does not transmit any draft however.

The forward end of pull rod (Fig. 2) termi- `of the tractor at I8. A sprocket I9 engages thefnates in a ball 64 (Fig. 7) which is received in a socket provided by the two members 65, 66. Member 66 has a no se ilprojecting into a. recess 68 of member 65 toprevent substantial relative movement between parts and 6B in the general direction of the'- axis of pull rod 68. A bolt69, having a T-head 10, seated in a recess 1I in socket member 66, passes through apertures in socket members 65,` 66, and is provided with a nut 12 against which a. spring 13 presses. The inner end of spring 13is seated in a recess 14 in socket member 65,. Socket member 65 has an extension .15 (Fig; 6) which is bolted to track rollerframe When the tractor is moved forwardly with the mower upon theground, a large part of the draft force mustbe transmitted through pull rod 60 (Fig. 2) and its safety socket. Should the tension in pull rod 60 exceed a predetermined amount, depending upon the strength of spring 13 and the adjustment of nut 12, the spring 13 is compressed suciently to allow the ball 64 to escape from its socket in the members 65, 66. When this occurs, the mower swings around to the rear of the tractor as shown in Fig. 8 because when the ball and socket connection of the pull rod 60 is broken, the arm 42 and cutter-bar 38 are free to swing struction is employed for safety so that if the cutter-bar strikes a post or any obstruction liable to damage the mechanism, it is allowed to swing clear of the obstruction.

The pull rod can be readily returned to its socket to resume operation, and for this purpose This conthe socket members 65, 61 (Fig. '7) are provided at their rear ends with conical surfaces to facilitate the insertion of ball 64 into its socket.

Knife operating mechanism (Sheets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) The tractor is provided with a power take-off mechanism which includes a clutch under the c control ofa lever (Fig. 1) convenient to the operators seat 22. 'I'his lever 80 is secured to the upper end of a shaft 8| (Fig. 9) rotatably mounted in the housing of transmission II. It will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 9 that oscillation of shaft 8| will result in engaging and disengaging pinion 82 with gear 83 to connect and disconnect upper transmission shaft 84 from power take-olf shaft 85. This mechanism is disclosed in the patent to Harmon S. Eberhard, No. 1,982,727, dated December 4, 1934.

Sprocket 81 s'splined on power take-off shaft 85 and is connected by chain 88 with sprocket 89, rotatably mounted on shaft and normally connected thereto by clutch element 9 I, having teeth 92 engaging with corresponding teeth formed in These teeth are resiliently maintained in contact by means of spring 93 which bears against a flange on clutch element 9| and against a flange o n nut 94, threaded on shaft 90.

Clutch element 9| is splined on shaft 90 so that poweris transmitted lfrom shaft 85 to shaft 98 through sprocket 81, chain 88, sprocket 89, clutch teeth 92 and clutch, element 9|. The amount ,of torque transmitted through clutch 9| is adjusted by positioning nut 94 to control the pressure of spring 93. Consequently, clutch 9| acts as a safety device to protect the mower mechanism.

Adjacent sprocket 89, shaft 90 is provided with a flanged collar 96 which serves to prevent axial displacement. of sprocket 89 under the action of spring 93. The rear end of shaft 90 has threaded thereon a ywheel 91. Intermediate the inlwardly extending hub of flywheel 91 and collar 96 are bearings 98, 99 separated by spacer |00. Bearings 08, 99 are assembled in sleeves |0l, |02 slidably mounted in bore |03 of body |04 of casting 50. Sleeve |02 has inwardly extending lugs |05 engaging pin |06 in body |04. Nut |01 threaded on sleeve |02 serves to adjust bearings 98, 99. Bearings 98, 99 are protected by seals |08, |09 fixed in sleeves |I, |02, respectively, and contacting the hub of flywheel 91 and collar 96, respectively.

Flywheel $1 is threaded on shaft 90 in a direction to cause tightening of the flywheel on the shaft upon transmission of powe-r from the shaft .to the flywheel. A crank pin ||0 is mounted in flywheel 91, and the member is journaled on crank pin I9. Member (Fig. 4) has an extension H2 formed thereon which is apertured, as shown in Fig. 10, to provide conical seats ||3, ||4 for projections H5, ||6 on straps ||1, ||8, respectively, (Fig. 4) which are secured to a pitman |20. Projections ||5, ||6 (Fig. 10) have conical surfaces engaging the conical seats H3, I4, of extension |2, and are apertured to receive a bolt |2| which serves to maintain projections H5, ||6 in their seats H3, H4. When pitman |20 moves relatively to member the movement is a rotation about the axis 0f conical seats ||3, ||4, which axis is disposed at an angle of approximately to the axis of crank pin ||0 (Fig. 10).

The outer end of pitman (Figs. 1 and 2) has a ball and socket connection |2| with the knife head 33.

The purpose of the special joint between the pitman and the crank pin is to permit the mower to rest upon the ground after pull rod 60 has pulled out of its socket (Fig. 8). It is also desirable to disconnect the drive to the knife when this occurs, and for this purpose shaft 41 (Fig. 4)

-1 has a cam |30 keyed thereon. It will be recalled that when the pull rod is disconnected from the track roller frame the cutter-bar and arm 42 are free to swing rearwardly. This causes rotavtion of shaft 41, and, consequently, movement of cam |30 which engages a push rod |3| (Figs. 9 and 1l) slidably mounted in an apertured boss |32 formed in casting 50. Push rod |3| is resiliently urged against cam |30 by spring |33 (Fig. 5) which presses against a Washer |34 (Fig. 9) pinned to push rod I 3| and against the rear face of boss |35 (Fig. 5) in which push rod |3| has bearing. The forward end of push rod |3| has pinned thereto a fork |36 which engages groove |31 (Fig. 9) in clutch element 9|.

The rotation of cam |30, resulting from rearward swinging of arm 42, causes disengagement of clutch 9|, thereby interrupting the transmission of power from the power take-off shaft to the knife.

Correct registration of knife 32 (Fig. l) with fingers 3| is obtained by screwing bracket 40 (Fig. 4) in or out on arm 42.

Adjusting mechanism (Sheets 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6) 'The inclination of the cutter-bar to the ground may be adjusted, and for this purpose bracket 40 has pivotally mounted in ears |40 (Fig. 4), formed integrally with bearing extension 44, a lever |4|. Lever |4| is provided with a suitable operator's handle |42 (Fig. 12) and a tooth |43 adapted to be engaged with the teeth |44 of a segment |45, and maintained in engagement therewith by means of a spring |46 secured to lever |4|. Segment has a guide |41 (Fig. 4) for lever |4| formed integrally therewith, and segment |45 is integral withv a bracket |48 having a split hub |49 (Fig. 12) clamped and keyed to arm 02.

To adjust the plane of cutter-bar 30 (Fig. 2) with respect to the surface of the ground, the operator grasps the handle |42 of lever |4| and rocks the lever outwardly against the action of spring |46 to disengage tooth |43 from teeth |44 and then moves the lever forwardly or 'rearwardly in the guide |41 to rotate thebracket 40 with respect to the arm 42. When the cutter-bar has been adjusted to the desired position, the handle |42 is reeased and the spring |46 rocks the lever |4| on its pivot to engage its tooth |43 with .the teeth |44 to lock the bracket 40 and the cutter-bar 30-in adjusted position with respect to the arm 42.

A mechanism is provided for lifting the cutterbar off the ground. For this purpose a lever |50 (Fig. 3) is connected to the plate 39 attached to cutter-bar 30. Lever |50 (Fig. 4) has a pivotal connection 5| with plate 39 and a set screw |52 which bears against a shoulder |53 on plate 39. The upper end of lever |50 has a chain |54 connected thereto, the other end of which is connected to a cylindrical member |55 having a ange |56. Member |55 passes through an eye |51 (Fig. 12) formed integrally with bracket |48.

One end of chain (Fig. 4) is connected to member |55 and passes about a sheave |6| rotatably mounted on the upper end of vertical shaft 41 and extends beneath seat 22 (Fig. 1) forwardly to a lever |62 (Fig. 13) attached to transverse shaft |63 mounted in bearings |64, |65 mounted on the mud guards of the tractor. An operating lever |61 is secured to vthe left end of shaft |63 (Fig. 13).- Adjustably secured ,to the right endof shaft |63 (Fig, 2) is an arm |68 from which a spring |69 extends upwardly to a bracket |10 (Fig. 13) formed integrally with the bracket for mounting bearing |65.

Spring |89 (Fig. 3) is adjusted to maintain a slight tension in chain |60. When the operator pulls lever |61 toward seat 22, chain |54 through lever connection |50 lifts cutter-bar 30 about its pivot 4| and continues to do so until flange |56 of cylindrical member |55 engages eye |51 on bracket |48 when further movement of operating lever |61 and chain |60 causes upward swinging of arm 42 and cutter-bar 30 as a unit about pin 45 as an axis. By adjusting set screw |52, the lost motion between flange |56 and eye |51 may be adjusted to obtain'any degree of preliminary elevation of the outer end of cutter-bar 30 prior to elevation of the arm and cutterbar as a unit.

It has been found to facilitate the elevation of the cutter-bar as a whole to start raising the outer end prior to raising the inner end. Obviously the lever |59 could be adjusted by means of the set screw |52 so that the flange is normally in contact with the eye |51, so that upon operation of operating lever |61 both ends of cutter-bar 30 begin to rise at once.

To further facilitate lifting of the cutter-bar,

a. pair of springs |12 (Figs. 23) are attached to bracket |48 (Figs. 4, 12) at one end, and to a bracket |13 by means of adjusting screws |14 at the other end. Bracket |13 (Fig. 4) has a hub'which encircles shaft 41 and is interposed between boss 48 and sheave |6|. Springs |12 (Fig, 3) are adjusted by means of screws` |14, so that they almost counterbalance the weight of the arm and cutter-bar assemblies about the pin 45 as an axis, and so that inner shoe 35 of cutter-bar 30 rests lightly upon the ground.

A spring |15 (Figs. 3 and 4) is attached at one end to lever |50 and at the other end to arm 42 by means of an adjustable connection Spring |15 serves to counterbalance the weight of cutter-bar 30 about pivot pin 4| and its tension is adjusted by means of the adjustable connection |16, so that the outer shoe 36 of cutter-bar 30 rests lightly upon the ground. With the springs |12, |15, properly adjusted, the operator can easily and quickly raise and lower the cutter-bar 30 by manipulating the lever |61.

Tractor controls for mowing (Sheets 1, 2 and 3) Due to the fact that the cutter-bar is disposed at one side of the tractor (Fig. l), there is a tendency for the tractor to veer to the right as it is pulling the mower through the eld. To facilitate maintaining the direction of movement of the tractor in a straight line, the left hand brake pedal 23 is connected to the left hand clutch control lever 2| so that when the operator pulls lever 2| to release the left hand track I2 and to bring the tractor back into line, the left hand brake is automatically applied so that the tractor willl quickly respond to the steering lever. This arrangement is also necessary under certain conditions where the tendency of the mower to pull the tractor out of line is great, to insure overcoming this tendency because at times the pull of theI 'mower is so great that merely releasing the left hand clutch will not straighten the tractor out, and it becomes necessary under such conditions to apply the left hand brake, in addition to releasing the clutch. For these reasons it has been found necessary to interconnect pedal 23 and lever 2| in the following manner: A clamp (Fig. 1) is attached to brake pedal 23. A chain |8| connects clamp |80 to one arm of a lever |82 (Fig. 13) which is pivoted intermediate its ends at I 83 on the transmission I I. The other end of lever |82 is connected by an adjustable link |84 to a collar |19 (Fig. 2) attached to steering clutch lever 2|. By this arrangement, movement of lever 2| towards operators seat 22 causes depression of pedal 23.

Miscellaneous (Sheets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8) When the mower is not in operation, the cutterbar is elevated to a substantially vertical position, as illustrated in Fig. 15, where it will be seen that the cutter-bar 30 and its plate 39 have been rotated about their pivot 4| through substantially 90, until the cutter-bar contacts a stop member |85 formed on housing 40 (Fig. 4). There is a brace rod |86 (Fig. 3) the inner end of which is pivotally connected at |95 to bracket |13 on shaft 41 and which rests in the slot of a keeper |94 (Fig. 12) attached to lever |4I. A handle |81 (Fig. 3) is screwed on the outer end of rod 86. When the cutter-bar is placed in the position shown in Fig. 15, handle |81 is removed from rod |86, the end of the rod is passed through an aperture in cutter-bar 30, and the handle |81 is screwed back on again to retain the cutter-bar in place. 'I'his arrangement not only maintains the cutter-bar in the vertical position and maintains the arm 42 in the elevated position shown in Fig. 15 where it is raised from the ground, but it keeps the parts in these relative positions. That is, the arm 42 and the vcutterbar 30 can have no movement in a. vertical plane with respect to the body of the tractor. This is so because when the handle |81 is screwed on the rod |86, the cutter-bar 30 is pressed against the stop |85 so that the arm 42 and the cutterbar 30 must move, if at all, as a unit, because no relative movement can take place at the pivot 4|. The arm 42 is pivoted at 45 and the -rod |86 is pivoted at |95 so that the parts can be analyzed as a locked kinematic chain, of which the Stationary link contains the pivot points 45 and |95. The second link is the rod |86 pivoted to the first link at |95, and the third link isv the unit comprising the arm 42 and the cutter-bar 30, pivoted to the first link at 45 and to the second link |86.

These three links are connected together, and,

therefore, constitute a locked kinematic chain. y

No one of the links can have any movementwith ner end of brace |88 has an eye |89 which can' be hooked over a hook |90 attached to socket members 65. The other end of brace |88 (Fig. 15) has an eye |96 through which the end of brace rod |86 is passed before it is passed through cutterbar 30.

Braces |86 and |88 are, of course, removed when the mower is to be put into operation. Brace |86 is left in the position shown in Fig. 3, and the brace |88 is mounted as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, there being a hook |92 provided on bracket |10, and a clamp |93 mounted on the mud guard of the tractor. y

I, therefore, claim as my invention:

1. A mower attachment for a tractor having an endless track, rollers running on said track, and a frame resting on said rollers, comprising cutting means, a connection from said cutting means to the rear end of said tractor, said connection permitting said cutting means to have a swinging movement about a vertical axis and over the ground, and a releasably secured draft connection from said cutting means to said trackl roller frame operable to prevent said swinging movement unless a predetermined tension is exceeded in said draft connection.

2. A mower attachment for a tractor having a power plant, an endless track, rollers running on said track, and a frame resting on said rollers, said attachment comprising a bracket attachable to said power plant, an arm pivoted on said bracket for movement about a vertical axis to allow horizontal swinging of said arm, a cutterbar, means to connect said cutter-bar to said arm for pivotal movement with respect thereto, a link releasably connected to said track roller frame, and means to connect said link to' said cutter-bar.

3. A mower attachment for a tractor having a power plant, said attachment comprising a bracket attachable to said power plant, an arm pivoted on said bracket, a cutter-bar, means to connect said cutter-bar to said arm for pivotalv movement with respect thereto, a knife reciprocable in said cutter-bar, a pitman for operating said knife, a crank for operating said pitman,

and means to transmit power from said power plant to said crank, including a shaft mounted in said bracket, said crank being connected to said shaft, a shaft mounted in said power plant and driven thereby, and means to transmit power from one shaft to the other, including a clutch, and automatic means to limit the torque transmitted by said clutch.

4. A mower attachment for a tractor having a power plant, said Aattachment comprising a bracket attachable to said power plant, an arm pivoted on said bracket, a cutter-bar, means to connect said cutter-bar to said arm for pivotal movement with respect thereto, a knife reciprocable in said cutter-bar, a pitman for operating said knife, a crank for operating said pitman, and means to transmit power from said power plant to said crank, including a shaft mounted in said bracket, said crank being connected to said shaft, a shaft mounted in said power plant and driven thereby, and means to transmit power from one shaft to the other, including a clutch, and means operable by said arm for disengaging said clutch.

5. A mower for use with a tractor, comprising a cutter-bar, an arm, means to connect said cutter-bar to said arm for pivotal movement about an axis, means to connect said arm to said tractor for pivotal movement about a second axis, and spring means connecting said cutterbar to said arm to counterbalance the moment of weight of the cutter-bar about said first axis.

6. A mower for use with a tractor, comprising a cutter-bar, an arm, means to connect said cutter-bar to said arm for pivotal movement about an axis, means to connect said arm to said tractor for'pivotal movement about a second axis, and spring means connecting said arm to said tractor to counterbalance the moment of weight of said arm and said cutter-bar about said second axis.

'7. A' mower for use with a tractor, comprising a cutter-bar, an ai'm, means to connect said cutterbar to said arm for pivotal movement about an axis, means to connect said arm to said tractor for pivotal movement about a second axis, spring means connecting said cutter-bar to said arm to counterbalance the "moment of weight of the cutter-bar about said rst axis, and spring means connecting said arm to said tractor to counterbalance the moment of'weight of said arm and said cutter-bar about said second axis.

8. A mower for use with a tractor, comprising a cutter-bar, an arm, means to connect said cutter-bar to said arm for pivotal movement about an axis, means to connect said arm to said tractor for pivotal movement about a second axis substantially parallel to said first axis, and a lifting device to cause movement of said arm and said cutter-bar about said axes.

9. A mower for use with a tractor, comprising a cutter-bar, an arm, means to connect said cutter- `bar to said arm for pivotal movement about an axis, means to connect said arm to said tractor for pivotal movement about a second axis, and a lifting device to cause a selected movement of said cutter-bar about said rst axis and upon completion of said selected movement to cause movement of said cutter-bar and said arm about said second axis.

10. A mower attachment for a tractor having a power plant mounted on a pair of endless track mechanisms, an operators seat, a pair of clutch control levers adjacent said seat to enable the operator in said seat to control the transmission of power to said track mechanisms, a pair of brake pedals adjacent said seat to enable the operator in said seat to apply a braking action to said track mechanisms, said attachment comprising cutting means, draft and drive connections from said cutting means to saidtractor, a lift mechanism for said cutting means, including an operating member adjacent said seat, a control for said cutting means drive adjacent said seat, and means to connect one of said brake pedals to one of said clutch control levers.

11. A mower for use with a tractor, comprising a cutter-bar, an arm, means to connect said cutter-bar to said arm for pivotal movement about an axis, means to connect said arm to said tractor for pivotal movement about a second axis, a link, means to connect one end of said link to said tractor, means to connect the other end of said link to said cutter-bar, and a device, attached to said means to connect said cutterbar to said arm, cooperating with said link to prevent movement of said cutter-bar about said rst axis.

12. A mower attachment for a tractor having a power plant, comprising a bracket attachable to said power plant, an arm pivoted on said bracket, a cutter-bar, means to connect said cutter-bar to said arm for pivotal movement with respect thereto, including a member rotatably mounted on said arm, a knife'reciprocable in said cutter bar, a pitman for operating said knife, a crank for operating said pitman, means to transmit power from said power plant tosaid crank, selective rotation of said member on said arm serving to adjust the inclination of the plane of said cutter-bar to the ground and to locate said knife with respect to said cutter-bar.

13. The combination with a tractor having al rear power take-off device, of a mower attachment therefor, comprising a cutting means supporting structure, means for connecting said structure to the rear of said tractor and adjacent said power take-off device for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the ground, so that said structure can move from a lateral position transverse with respect to the line of draft of said tractor to a position in back of said tractor in the direction of said line of draft, and an automatically releasable draft member at the side of said tractor and connected to a side of said tractor and to said structure.

14. -The combination with a tractor having a rear power take-on device, of a mower attachment therefor, comprising a cutting means supporting structure, means for connecting said structure to the rear of said tractor and adjacent said power take-off device for both pivotal movement in an upright plane and swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the ground, a releasable draft member at the side of said tractor and connected to a side of said tractor and to said structure, and a lifting device for effecting said pivotal movement of said struc'- ture in said upright plane.

15. The combination with a tractor having a rear power take-off device, of a mower attachment therefor, comprising a cutting means supporting structure, means for connecting said structure to the rear of said tractor and adjacent said power take-off device for both pivotal movement in an upright plane and swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the ground, a releasable draft member at the side of said tractor and connected to a side of said tractor and to said structure, a lifting device for effecting said pivotal movement of said structure in said upright plane, and a control for said lifting device positioned adjacent the operator-s seat of said tractor.

16. The combination with a tractor having a rear power take-olf device, of a mower attachment therefor, comprising a cutting means supporting structure having a jointed connection intermediate its ends allowing upright movement of an outer portion of said structure relative to an inner portion thereof, means for connecting the inner end of said structure to the rear of said tractor and adjacent said power take-off device for both pivotal movement in an upright plane and swinging movement in a plane substantially able draft member at the side of said tractor and connected to a side of said tractor and to said structure, and a lifting device for effecting upright movement of the outer portion and then the inner portion of said structure.

17. The combination with a track-type tractor having a track frame at each side of the tractor and a rear power take-01T device, of a mower attachment therefor, comprising a cutting means supporting structure, means for connecting said structure to the rear of said tractor and adjacent said power take-olf device for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the ground, so that said structure can move from a lateral position transverse with respect to the line of draft of said tractor to a position in back of said tractor in the direction of said line of draft, a draft member extending forwardly from said structure, and means connecting said draft member to a track frame and to said structure, said latter' means including a connecting device automatically releasable to allow said swinging movement when said structure strikes an obstruction.

18. The combination with a track-type tractor having a track frame at each side of the tractor and a rear power take-off device, of a mower attachment therefor, comprising a cutting means supporting structure, means for connecting said structure to the rear of said tractor and adjacent said power take-off device for both pivotal movement in an uprightplane and swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the ground, a draft member extending forwardly from said structure and at a side of one of said track frames, means connecting said draft member to said one track frame and to said structure, said latter means including a connecting device automatically releasable to allow said swinging movement, and a lifting device for effecting said pivotal movement in an upright plane.

19. In a machine of the class described, a draft member and an automatically releasable connection therefor, said connection comprising a'plurality of clamping members forming a socket adapted to receive a portion of said draft member, and resilient means for holding said clamping members together to clamp said portion of said draft member.

20. 'I'he combination with a track-type tractor having a track frame, of a mower attachment therefor, means connecting said attachment to the' tractor, a draft member from said attachment to said track frame, and Aan automatically releasable connection for said draft member, said connection comprising a plurality of clamping members mounted on said track frame and forming a socket adapted to receive an'endportion of said draft member, and resilient means for holding said clamping members together to clamp said end portion of said draft member.

21. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a vehicle having a power take-off device, comprising a supporting structure adapted to be secured to said vehicle adjacent said power take-off device, a drive mechanism mounted on said supporting structure and having means for driving connection with said power take-oi dcvice, an upright shaft journaled for rotatable movement in said supporting structure, a cutting mechanism supported for rotatable movement with said shaft, and a connection from said drive mechanism to said cutting mechanism.

22. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a vehicle having a power take-off device, comprising a supporting structure adapted to be secured to said vehicle adjacent said power take-off device, a drive mechanism mounted on said supporting structure and having means for driving connection with said power take-off device, an upright shaft journaled for rotatable movement in said supporting structureya cutting mechanism pivotally mounted on said shaft for movement in an upright plane and supported for rotatable movement with said shaft, and a connection from said drive mechanism to said cutting mechanism.

23. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a vehicle having a power take-off device, comprising a supporting structure adapted to be secured to said vehicle adjacent said power takeoff device, a drive mechanism mounted on said supporting structure and having means for driving connection with said power take-off device, said driving connection including clutching means, an upright shaft journaled for rotatable movement in said supporting structure, a cutting mechanism supported for rotatable movement with said shaft, a connection from said drive mechanism to said cutting mechanism, and means actuated by rotation of said shaft from one position to another position for automatically disengaging said clutching means.

24. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a vehicle having a power take-off device, comprising a supporting structure adapted to be secured to said vehicle adjacent said power takeoi device, a drive mechanism mounted on said supporting structure and having means for driving connection with said power take-off device, an upright shaft journaled for rotatable movement in said supporting structure, a cutting mechanism pivotally mounted on said shaft for movement in an upright plane and supported for rotatable movement with said shaft, a connection from said drive mechanism to said cutting mechanism, a wheel on said shaft, a iiexible member connected to said cutting mechanism and passing about said Wheel, and means for 4moving said flexible member to eii'ect lifting of said cutting mechanism in said upright plane.

25. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a vehicle having a rear power take-off device, comprising a supporting structure adapted to be secured to the rear of said vehicle adjacent said power take-off device, a drive mechanism mounted on said supporting structure and having means for driving connection with said power take-oil? device, an upright shaft journaled for rotatable movement in said supporting structure, a cutting mechanism supported for rotatable movement with said shaft, a connection from said drive mechanism to said cutting mechanism, and

'a draft member connected to said cutting mechanism and adapted to be connected to a side of said vehicle independent of said supporting structure.

26. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a vehicle, comprising a supporting structure, an arm mounted adjacent one end on said structure for movement in an upright plane, a cutting mechanism mounted for movement in said upright plane and movably connected to said arm adjacent the opposite end of said arm, and a lift mechanism arranged to effect first lifting of said cutting mechanism and then lifting of said arm in said upright plane.

27. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a. vehicle, comprising a supporting structure, an arm mounted adjacent one Vencl on said structure for movement in an upright plane, a cutting mechanism mounted for movement in said upright plane and movably connected to said arm adjacent the opposite end of said arm, a lift mechanism arranged to effect first lifting of said cutting mechanism and then lifting of said arm in said upright plane, and spring counterbalancing means comprising a spring connected to said arm and to said cutting mechanism, and a spring connected to said arm and to said supporting structure.

28. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a vehicle, comprising a supporting structure, an arm mounted adjacent one end on said structure for movement in an upright plane, a cutiing mechanism mounted for movement in said upright plane and movably connected to said arm adjacent the opposite end of said arm, a lift mechanism arranged to effect rst lifting of said cutting mechanism and then lifting of said arm in said upright plane, and means for regulating the extent of lifting of said cutting mechanisin prior to lifting of said arm.

29. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a vehicle, comprising a supporting structure, an arm mounted adjacent one end on said structure for movement in an upright plane, a cutting mechanism mounted for movement in said upright plane and movably connected to said arm adjacent the opposite end of said arm, a

lever movably connected to said cutting mechanism adjacent said opposite end of said arm, and a lifting connection attached .to said lever.

30. The combination with a track-type tractor having an endless track at each side of the tractor, a steering clutch and a brake for each track, of a mower attached to said tractor and extending laterally therefrom thereby causing the tractor to veer from a straight course, and an interconnection between the steering clutch and the brake which must be operated to straighten the tractor to facilitate maintaining the tractor on a straight course.

31. The combination with a tractor, of a mower comprising a mower frame structure having cut-' ting mechanism supported thereon, means for connecting said structure to said tractor for ,both swinging movement in an upright plane and swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the ground, means including latching means releasable when the mower strikes an obstruction for normally maintaining the mower in a direction extending laterally with respect to the line of draft; driving means including gearing xedly mounted on said tractor for operating said cutting mechanism from the power plant of the tractor, and means interposed in Vsaid driving means serving to interrupt automatically the drive upon movement of said mower away from said lateral position.

32. The combination with a tractor having a rear end; of a mower comprising a mower frame structure including a member xedly attached to the rear end of said tractor, mower drive mechanism including gearing supported by said member and fixed with respect to said tractor, an arm extending in back of said rear end and universally connected to said member for swinging movement in upright and substantially horizontal planes, and a cutting mechanism frame part connected to said arm for movement in an upright plane; means including a connection automatically releasable when the mower strikes an obstruction for normally maintaining said cutting mechanism part in a direction extending laterally with respect to the line of draft of the tractor; and lift mechanism for said arm and said cutting mechanism frame part.

33. A track-type tractor mowing machine comprising a body, an endless track mechanism at each side of said body, a mower connected to said body and extending laterally beyond one side thereof, the drag of said mower tending to cause the machine to veer from a straight course in a direction toward said one side, means for effecting steering of said machine comprising a releasable driving connection and a brake for each track mechanism, and an interconnection between the releasable driving connection and the brake associated with the track mechanism at the opposite side of said body to thereby facilitate maintaining of the machine on a straight course.

34. A track-type tractor mowing machine comprising a body, an endless track mechanism at each side of said body, a mower connected to said body and extending laterally beyond one side thereof, the drag of said mower tending to cause the machine to veer from a straight course in a direction toward said one side, means for effect- .ing steering of said machine comprising releasable driving and brake means associated with the track mechanisms, and means interconnecting brake and releasable driving means for simultaneous operation together to facilitate maintaining of the machine on a straight course.

35. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a tractor having power take-off means, comprising a supporting structure independent of the drawbar of the tractor and adapted to be secured to said tractor adjacent said power takeoff means, a drive mechanism supported by said supporting structure in permanently fixed relationship tov said power take-off means, and having means for driving connection withl said power take-off means, a cutting mechanism, means connecting said cutting mechanism to said supporting structure for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the ground, and a connection fromV said drive mechanism to said cutting mechanism.

36. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a tractor having power take-olf means, comprising a supporting structure independent of the drawbar of the tractor and adapted to be secured to said tractor adjacent said power take-off means, a drive mechanism supported by said supporting structure in permanently fixed relationship to said power take-off means, and having means for driving connection with said power take-off means, a cutting mechanism, means connecting said cutting mechanism to said supporting structure for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the ground, a connection from said drive mechanism to said cutting mechanism, and releasable means for holding said outting mechanism against said swinging movement.

37. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a tractor having power take-off means, comprising a supporting structure, a shaft journaled in said structure in fixed relation with respect to said power take-off means, and means connecting said shaft to said power take-off means including releasable drive establishing means cooperating with said shaft and said power take-oil' means, said releasable drive establishing means being operable to disconnect or connect said shaft to said power take-off means.

38. A mower attachment adapted to be secured to a tractor having power take-off means, comprising a supporting structure, a shaft journaled in said structure, and means connecting said shaft to said power take-off means including releasable drive establishing means cooperating with said shaft and said power take-off means; said releasable drive establishingmeans comprising a clutch element journaled about said shaft, a second clutch element mounted for rotation with but axially slidable along said shaft, and resilient means for normally maintaining said clutch elements in engagement.

LOWELL H. THOEN. 

